H-T Game of the week video: Sarasota at Palmetto

THE BREAKDOWN
Sarasota High, hanging on a lifeline in the district, rode its offensive stars to a 51-35 Class 7A-District 10 win over North Port last Friday. Justin Austin rushed for 276 yards and three touchdowns while Caulin McNeal threw for 206 yards and three scores. The Sailors (3-4, 1-1) need to win this game to keep moving forward in the postseason chase.

After a shaky start, Palmetto has found its groove. Last week, the Tigers (4-3, 2-0) beat Lakewood Ranch behind a strong defensive effort, 33-19, the win coming a week after Palmetto gave nationally ranked Manatee a heck of a game. Linebacker Inu Matelau recorded four of the eight sacks against Lakewood Ranch High quarterback Chad Rex, and the Tigers limited the Mustangs to 121 total yards.

THE HISTORY
Palmetto has won two straight against Sarasota, including last year’s 47-28 shootout when Cory Crawford rushed for 237 yards on 11 carries. Crawford has since graduated and in his place is Joshua Hicks, who has rushed for 882 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Before 2011, the Sailors had a 3-0 advantage — with wins in 2004, ‘05 and ‘06.

WHAT THE COACHES ARE SAYING
“The only film I’ve seen is their last two games and they’ve looked pretty good. I know coach (Dave) Marino real well and that staff does a fantastic job so when they got off to a slow start I wasn’t surprised they would get it pulled back together pretty quickly.”- Ed Volz, Sarasota football coach

“The Austin kid is an outstanding running back and the quarterback throws a nice ball and he’s got great receivers down there, one in (Shawn) Bane, so defensively we’ve got to be sound and continue to protect the football.”- Dave Marino, Palmetto football coach

WHAT THE PLAYERS ARE SAYING
“The mindset of the team is to stay focused and do what we’re capable of doing. If we do that, then we will win. ... The team, the whole team, hasn’t bought in, and now they are. They’re starting to click and (the thought of) district championships are starting to click in the back of their head.”— Shawn Bane Jr., Sarasota wide receiver

“I believe they are a good team and we have to play 100 percent. I’m not worried if Braden River beats North Port. I want to win every district game we get. I don’t want to put it in someone else’s hands.”— River Ward, Palmetto defensive lineman